(I work for a company that answers the phone for about 200 other companies. We can answer a few simple questions, but mostly just note down their information and tell them the company they think they’re calling will call them back later.)

Me: “Hi, this is [My Name] with [Company]. How can I help you?”

Caller: “Yes, could you help me with a question?”

Me: “That depends on the question; what would you like to know?”

Caller: “I don’t want to go through the trouble of asking you if you can’t help me. So, can you help me?”

Me: “I’m afraid I can’t tell without you actually asking me, sir…”

Caller: “Well, you’re no use at all, then, are you?! Just tell me if you can answer my question!”

Me: “Yeah… I think [Employee of the company they’re calling] probably knows; I’ll ask him to call you back.”

(I heard later that all he wanted to know was their opening times. If he’d just have asked that, the entire call wouldn’t have taken more than 30 seconds!)